What is crime victim compensation?
One of the rights that some crime victims have is the right to ask for “crime victim compensation.”
Crime victim compensation is a government program to pay back victims of crimes and their families for some of their expenses that resulted from being a crime victim. Compensation is not the same as restitution. Compensation is only paid after all other resources (e.g., insurance, workers’ compensation) are exhausted.
If you are a victim of crime, you may have many costs related to the crime and your recovery. Dealing with medical and mental health care costs, lost income, and repairing or replacing damaged or lost property can be overwhelming. Crime victim compensation may be able to help you with these financial matters when you cannot get repaid any other way.
What kind of expenses can crime victim compensation help me with?
Some of the expenses that may be covered include:
- Your medical and counseling expenses.
- Up to $500 for your lost or damaged personal property that is essential for your health and welfare, such as eyeglasses, cash (up to $100) and clothes.
- Your transportation costs for necessary court appearances related to prosecution..
- Your occupational or vocational rehabilitation expenses.
- Up to $2,500 for moving expenses.
- Up to $30,000 for lost wages, loss of support or loss of savings.
The Every Crime Victim Matters brochure by OVS offers information on victim compensation.
Do I have the right to crime victim compensation?
You may have the right to crime victim compensation if:
- You were physically injured as a result of the crime.
- If you are under the age of 18, 60 or older, or are disabled, even if you were not physically injured in the crime.
- You are an innocent victim of crime. This means, if your behavior helped cause your injuries, you may not get crime victims compensation.
- You are a victim of certain kinds of stalking or domestic violence crimes.
- You are a victim of labor or sex trafficking.
- You report the crime to the police or another criminal justice agency within one week.
- You file a claim within one year of the crime.
Go to the eligibility section of the Victim Compensation Guide to find out more.
How do I apply for crime victim compensation?
To apply for crime victim compensation online, visit the New York State Office of Victim Services website.
You can go to our Victim Compensation Guide for help in applying online.
Updated 3/7/23